Lotus Type 119c soapbox to battle for second title in Brooklands Soapbox Derby

The Lotus Type 119c soapbox, the record-holding downhill gravity
racer, is to make its second competitive appearance at the
Brooklands Museum Soapbox Derby on 16 July, 2006. The Type 119c
soapbox is the reigning champion and record holder of the
challenging 0.7 mile descent at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
Gravity Racing Club Soapbox Challenge.

Following the omission of the popular downhill event from the
Goodwood Festival of Speed line-up since 2004, attention has turned
to the Extreme Gravity Racing (XGR) Series in the USA, and the
UK-based Brooklands Soapbox Derby which ran for the first time last
year.

The closed-cockpit Lotus Type 119c "streamliner" features an
aerodynamically-efficient ultra-light carbon-fibre monocoque,
remaining true to the "performance through light weight" philosophy
of Lotus founder Colin Chapman. It will be lining up on the grid
once again against familiar automotive constructors such as Lola,
Vauxhall and Ford as well as entries from schools, colleges and
privateers.

Paul Adams, who successfully piloted the Lotus Type 119 soapbox
to victory in the Roadster Class at the Goodwood event in 2002 and
who clinched the overall win in 2004 with the 119c, will be
returning to the driving seat hoping to lift a third trophy. On
being back behind the wheel after a two-year break, Paul Adams
explains: "I am really excited to be able to race at such a historic
circuit and be reunited again with past competitors, which will
certainly make for some good and fun racing. We will be shaking down
the car on the Hethel Test Track, so that I can familiarise myself
once again with the controls, oil the nuts and bolts and blow off
the cobwebs!"

Teams will race from the top of the Test Hill of the Brooklands
circuit, which then leads on to the exciting banked section before
the Finish Straight in front of the paddock. The record, held by
Lola Cars for descending the course, is 71.8 seconds, and
competitors are expected to reach a top speed of around 35 mph.